Note: The responses to these questions are a summary of responses derived from surveys summitted to various school districts.
1. What procedures/policies do schools have in place for adoption of new software and tools? For example, are there any good model schools who have a good checks & balance (teacher/principal wants vs what tech dept. can support?) system in place for purchasing software? [Corey Haugen]
A couple of school districts appear to have a good system in place for adoption of new hardware/software. (There were some schools with little to no procedures in place when adopting new technology.)
Basic Implementation Protocol:
1. Bring new hardware/software technology to the building tech committe for approval.
2. Bring approved request to a District-level tech committee meeting for approval.
- The important questions:
"How will this improve student achievement?"
"Will this new technology make us more productive?"
"Can our current infastructure support the new technology?"
3. If adoption/implementation occurs, staff development is planned to support new technology.
2. Is there a maintenance contract or service agreement for new technology? Is the technology industry-standard or cutting-edge? [David Delong-Riviera]
Most Technology Directors concur that there are maintenance contracts/service agreements for most technologies. The definition of maintenance contracts/service agreements can vary depending on the product/company. In general, most hardware and software vendors try to provide support and service for thier products.
Based on the survey results, "Putting cutting edge technology in student hands" resulted in neutral to negative results from the responding schools. Due to the financial strain on all school districts, schools don't have the opportunity to gamble on cutting-edge technologies. Schools don't have the resources to troubleshoot and maintain new technologies that haven't been proven yet. I would say most districts take the safer industry-standard technology. Cutting edge can sometimes lead to "bleeding" edge if you adopt to soon!
3. Are technology purchases needed in school's auxiliary services (PayPams, SchoolDude, etc)? (Missy Peterson)
Yes - All schools that have responded to the survey and all the school websites that I have checked online (additional 10-15) have some form of on-line store, and/or parent protal in for purchases and grade updates. Common formats for these auxiliary services do include PayPams, RevTrak for maintaining purchases and ParentConnect, InfiniteCampus and CenterPoint are common for academic needs. In addition, many school districts use tools like SchoolDude and TrackIt to monitor departments and improving efficiency.
4. What types of models are used for technology, leadership and support, in schools? Are private vendors common in schools? (Pam O'Connell)
Most of the models for technology, leadership and support come from within the school setting (90% or more). So private vendors don't play a big role in supporting technology in schools.
5. What should drive the quest for new technology: instructional needs or integration of technology because it is "new" and "neat." [David Delong-Riviera]
All schools responded positively to the following regarding "What drives your schools implementation of new technology":
Supports Instruction
Supports Curriculum
Improve Productivity
Improve Student Achievement
Therefore, student interests seem to be fundamental to aquiring new technology. With funding always in question, schools are forced to focus on instructional needs, not just wanting new toys.
6. Should schools purchase software programs that students can use at home and school, such as the music assessment program "SmartMusic," or should families purchase these programs for home use? (J. Dusty Johnson)
The survey posed the question: "What drives your school's implementation of new technology: Ability to extend learning outside the classroom (ex. web-based software so students can access at home."
The overwhelming response to this was neutral. It is not something currenlty that the schools surveyed felt was an important question to deal with during implementation. I think it my be a secondary thought to how it will improve student achievement and productivity at school.
7. How can we persuade and motivate teachers and administrators to embrace technology sooner rather than later? Moving gradually is comfortable for people, but with the rapid progression of technology, we end up behind and students pay the price. [Sharon Riehle]
These people need to visit a successful classroom that integrates technology to enhance the learning process and student achievement. When they see how technology can enhance the learning and productivity of teachers and students, they may want to jump on board. Training methods/staff development are critical components to this. Teachers need to have the opportunity to learn the technology themselves in a non-threatning learning envrionment. See Training Methods and Effectiveness for more details.
8. How do you evaluate a successful technology implementation? Doug
This is a great question! Responses the this question were interesting. The survey posed the question:
"How does your school evaluate a successful technology implementation?"
Most schools responded that they don't have an evaluation process. I concur with that summary. My district doesn't typically do anything to evaluate if the new technology implementation is effective. Here are some thoughts on how to begin the evaluation on new technologies:
Measure staff utilization of the technology
Has there been an increase in student achievement
Request teacher imput on the technology
Please feel free to also view 1B Resources for Evaluation to view what that group came up with for evaluations...
Survey on Implemenation of New Technologies
Survey for:
Name:
optional
EDPA 5307
District:
Corey Haugen & Roger Whaley
Position:
1. For each item, check the box below the response that best matches how much you agree with the statement.
2. If you do not have enough information to form an opinion about the topic of an item, select "Do not Know
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Do Not Know
1. The vision for technology use has been effectively communicated to the stakeholders. (admin/teachers/students)
2. An effective long-range school technology plan is in place.
3. Teachers and other staff members support the school technology plan.
4. An effective evaluation system is in place to evaluate new technology implementation.
5. What drives your schools implemenation of new technology?
a) Support Instruction
b) Support Curriculum
c) Put cutting edge technology in student hands
d) Improve productivity
e) Improve student achievement
f) Ability to extend learning outside the classroom (ex. Web based software so students can access at home)
Open Response Section
5. What procedures/policies does your school have in place for adoption of new hardware?
6. What procedures/policies does your school have in place for adoption of new software?
7. How does your school evaluate a successful technology implementation?
Schools use many types of software to run. In administrative software, there are a huge number of vendors that will be more than eager to help you run your school. A quick internet search for Student Information Systems generates over a million links to follow. Pearson seems to be consolidating the market by buying out competitiors Powerschool (An Apple product) and Chancery. Skyward and TIES have products that are popular in Minnesota.
TIES is the colaborative located in the Metro. They provide a number of data services. Skyward is based in Wisconsin and is a privately held company. Memeber districts in the TIES coop get training as part of the package. Skyward has training as an additional cost of using their product.
For the really adventuous, student information systems even come in open source format. The downside to those products may be finding someone with the expertise to maintain such a project.
Other products mentioned in the 5307 Wiki include Schooldude and PayPams for lunch account and other payment services. SmartMusic was also mentioned.
SchoolDude and PayPams are basically companies that help manage the money coming in from the school lunch program. Parents can access accounts and pay for things like lunch and class fees through these companies. Their web sites offer other services as well, like IT support.
SmartMusic 10 is an exciting product to me personally. I have been beta testing it in my school and it will change the way I teach. SM10 is a significant upgrade to their product and includes SmartMusic Impact.
Impact is a data management system for music teachers. It functions as a grade book, with actual samples of student work stored in the records. an emailing system that can generate mail by class, instrument, grade, section etc. It also is a very good simulator of musical rehearsal and manages assignments for both the student and teacher. Basically, a teacher can send an assignemt out for a student to work on. The student works the assignment and the program evaluates for right notes and rhythms providing the student with instant feedback. When the student is happy with the results, he can send it in and the database will add it to the grade book along with the recording. The program will also accompany the student with an audio file of how the rest of the group should sound. Students will know their part, how it works with the other parts and I will have decent evidence of their work with little or no work to organizing the whole process.
Here is how i plan to implement SmartMusic in the fall. This only works well if everyone has access to to an internet conected computer outside of class. 94.72% of my students meet this criteria. The school cost is $100 for the first school computer and $25 for every school computer after that. If your school is a SM customer, students can access the software for the home price of $25. I am adding a fee to participate in band this year that will cover the cost of the program for all students. $8000 was more than too steep for the school budget. If you are in the 6% group, you will be helping to fund access at school. I have practice room computers that will run the program. That will be the only program on those computers, so internet supervision/safety is not an issue. (Have I missed anything?)
There is a standard out there for school data called SIF (Schools Interoperability Framework.) All data systems should be able to work together if they are all SIF compliant. Look for the SIF label.
Modified 4.30.07
1E. Implementation
Note: The responses to these questions are a summary of responses derived from surveys summitted to various school districts.
1. What procedures/policies do schools have in place for adoption of new software and tools? For example, are there any good model schools who have a good checks & balance (teacher/principal wants vs what tech dept. can support?) system in place for purchasing software? [Corey Haugen]
A couple of school districts appear to have a good system in place for adoption of new hardware/software. (There were some schools with little to no procedures in place when adopting new technology.)
Basic Implementation Protocol:
1. Bring new hardware/software technology to the building tech committe for approval.
2. Bring approved request to a District-level tech committee meeting for approval.
- The important questions:
3. If adoption/implementation occurs, staff development is planned to support new technology.
2. Is there a maintenance contract or service agreement for new technology? Is the technology industry-standard or cutting-edge? [David Delong-Riviera]
Most Technology Directors concur that there are maintenance contracts/service agreements for most technologies. The definition of maintenance contracts/service agreements can vary depending on the product/company. In general, most hardware and software vendors try to provide support and service for thier products.
Based on the survey results, "Putting cutting edge technology in student hands" resulted in neutral to negative results from the responding schools. Due to the financial strain on all school districts, schools don't have the opportunity to gamble on cutting-edge technologies. Schools don't have the resources to troubleshoot and maintain new technologies that haven't been proven yet. I would say most districts take the safer industry-standard technology. Cutting edge can sometimes lead to "bleeding" edge if you adopt to soon!
3. Are technology purchases needed in school's auxiliary services (PayPams, SchoolDude, etc)? (Missy Peterson)
Yes - All schools that have responded to the survey and all the school websites that I have checked online (additional 10-15) have some form of on-line store, and/or parent protal in for purchases and grade updates. Common formats for these auxiliary services do include PayPams, RevTrak for maintaining purchases and ParentConnect, InfiniteCampus and CenterPoint are common for academic needs. In addition, many school districts use tools like SchoolDude and TrackIt to monitor departments and improving efficiency.
4. What types of models are used for technology, leadership and support, in schools? Are private vendors common in schools? (Pam O'Connell)
Most of the models for technology, leadership and support come from within the school setting (90% or more). So private vendors don't play a big role in supporting technology in schools.
5. What should drive the quest for new technology: instructional needs or integration of technology because it is "new" and "neat." [David Delong-Riviera]
All schools responded positively to the following regarding "What drives your schools implementation of new technology":
Therefore, student interests seem to be fundamental to aquiring new technology. With funding always in question, schools are forced to focus on instructional needs, not just wanting new toys.
6. Should schools purchase software programs that students can use at home and school, such as the music assessment program "SmartMusic," or should families purchase these programs for home use? (J. Dusty Johnson)
The survey posed the question: "What drives your school's implementation of new technology: Ability to extend learning outside the classroom (ex. web-based software so students can access at home."
The overwhelming response to this was neutral. It is not something currenlty that the schools surveyed felt was an important question to deal with during implementation. I think it my be a secondary thought to how it will improve student achievement and productivity at school.
7. How can we persuade and motivate teachers and administrators to embrace technology sooner rather than later? Moving gradually is comfortable for people, but with the rapid progression of technology, we end up behind and students pay the price. [Sharon Riehle]
These people need to visit a successful classroom that integrates technology to enhance the learning process and student achievement. When they see how technology can enhance the learning and productivity of teachers and students, they may want to jump on board. Training methods/staff development are critical components to this. Teachers need to have the opportunity to learn the technology themselves in a non-threatning learning envrionment. See Training Methods and Effectiveness for more details.
8. How do you evaluate a successful technology implementation? Doug
This is a great question! Responses the this question were interesting. The survey posed the question:
"How does your school evaluate a successful technology implementation?"
Most schools responded that they don't have an evaluation process. I concur with that summary. My district doesn't typically do anything to evaluate if the new technology implementation is effective. Here are some thoughts on how to begin the evaluation on new technologies:
- Measure staff utilization of the technology
- Has there been an increase in student achievement
- Request teacher imput on the technology
Please feel free to also view 1B Resources for Evaluation to view what that group came up with for evaluations...Schools use many types of software to run. In administrative software, there are a huge number of vendors that will be more than eager to help you run your school. A quick internet search for Student Information Systems generates over a million links to follow. Pearson seems to be consolidating the market by buying out competitiors Powerschool (An Apple product) and Chancery. Skyward and TIES have products that are popular in Minnesota.
TIES is the colaborative located in the Metro. They provide a number of data services. Skyward is based in Wisconsin and is a privately held company. Memeber districts in the TIES coop get training as part of the package. Skyward has training as an additional cost of using their product.
For the really adventuous, student information systems even come in open source format. The downside to those products may be finding someone with the expertise to maintain such a project.
Other products mentioned in the 5307 Wiki include Schooldude and PayPams for lunch account and other payment services. SmartMusic was also mentioned.
SchoolDude and PayPams are basically companies that help manage the money coming in from the school lunch program. Parents can access accounts and pay for things like lunch and class fees through these companies. Their web sites offer other services as well, like IT support.
SmartMusic 10 is an exciting product to me personally. I have been beta testing it in my school and it will change the way I teach. SM10 is a significant upgrade to their product and includes SmartMusic Impact.
Impact is a data management system for music teachers. It functions as a grade book, with actual samples of student work stored in the records. an emailing system that can generate mail by class, instrument, grade, section etc. It also is a very good simulator of musical rehearsal and manages assignments for both the student and teacher. Basically, a teacher can send an assignemt out for a student to work on. The student works the assignment and the program evaluates for right notes and rhythms providing the student with instant feedback. When the student is happy with the results, he can send it in and the database will add it to the grade book along with the recording. The program will also accompany the student with an audio file of how the rest of the group should sound. Students will know their part, how it works with the other parts and I will have decent evidence of their work with little or no work to organizing the whole process.
Here is how i plan to implement SmartMusic in the fall. This only works well if everyone has access to to an internet conected computer outside of class. 94.72% of my students meet this criteria. The school cost is $100 for the first school computer and $25 for every school computer after that. If your school is a SM customer, students can access the software for the home price of $25. I am adding a fee to participate in band this year that will cover the cost of the program for all students. $8000 was more than too steep for the school budget. If you are in the 6% group, you will be helping to fund access at school. I have practice room computers that will run the program. That will be the only program on those computers, so internet supervision/safety is not an issue. (Have I missed anything?)
There is a standard out there for school data called SIF (Schools Interoperability Framework.) All data systems should be able to work together if they are all SIF compliant. Look for the SIF label.
If you are interested, I have bookmarks for the info I have found at my delicious account. http://del.icio.us/RogerWhaley/Shared5307